Tuesday, May 31, 2011

﻿RSPCA Australia and Animals Australia have joined forces to call for an immediate halt to the cattle trade to Indonesia after the exposure of the worst abuses ever documented in Australia’s live export trade.

The investigation, carried out by Animals Australia in March, revealed that on a nightly basis Australian cattle are being subjected to abuse and torture prior to slaughter.

Animals Australia’s cruelty investigator, Lyn White, said the Minister’s announcement tonight of putting his department in charge of an investigation in Indonesia is unacceptable.

“This is the very department that has been doing the industry’s bidding for decades so no Australian can rest easy knowing these animals are back in their hands,” said Ms White.

She also commented that the industry’s eleventh hour bid to suspend supply to three abattoirs is a desperate attempt to appease public outrage.

“MLA representatives had visited six times in the last 14 months one of the most brutal abattoirs filmed in this investigation. Yet they are now suggesting further training is the solution when clearly they have failed to prevent the cruelty occurring there on a nightly basis.

“What MLA and LiveCorp don’t admit is that they have created the problem. They have been using Australian taxpayer funding to install restraint boxes for cattle that are inherently cruel and breach international animal welfare standards.

“These devices (Mark 1 restraint box) facilitate a distressing and cruel death and have been condemned by the world’s leading slaughter expert Temple Grandin as being ‘atrocious’ and as ‘violating every humane standard in the world’.

“If animal protection groups weren’t exposing this cruelty, MLA and LiveCorp would happily continue to install these boxes and supply animals to facilities where wanton cruelty against animals is the norm, as they have done for over a decade.

“MLA and Livecorp have been deliberately deceiving farmers to ensure supply of animals and misrepresenting their work to the government to maintain support for the trade. It has never been clearer that this is not a trade worthy of government backing.”

RSPCA Australia Chief Scientist Dr Bidda Jones conducted a full scientific assessment of the evidence from this investigation and found that every slaughter facility visited breached international animal welfare standards.

“Through my analysis I found that the majority of animals were subjected to physical abuse, such as tail twisting, hitting, kicking, eye gouging, and even tail breaking or tendon slashing. One Brahman steer with a broken leg was tortured for 26 minutes before being killed,” said Dr Jones.

“Cattle experienced an average of 11 cuts to the throat, with one slaughterman cutting at the throat of a steer 33 times. Half of all Australian animals observed being slaughtered showed signs of consciousness more than one and a half minutes after their throats were cut.

“But the most galling aspect of this evidence is that the industry’s installation of Mark 1 boxes has entrenched a system of restraint and slaughter that causes significant suffering and that would be illegal in Australia.

“This is what Australian industry presence in Indonesia for two decades has achieved. Putting live exporters in charge of animal welfare is like putting tobacco companies in charge of the public health system.”

RSPCA Australia and Animals Australia are calling on the Gillard Government to immediately halt the cattle trade to Indonesia and announce an end date for all live exports. On top of this, the government should urgently assist producers in whatever way is necessary to get their animals to processors in Australia.

N.B. The footage from the Animals Australia investigation was taken straight to Four Corners due to the government’s failure to act on further evidence of the cruel treatment of exported sheep in the Middle East last November. The Indonesia footage is also being provided to all Federal parliamentarians.

Monday, May 30, 2011

After 3 weeks in RSPCA care, the pigs' body conditions were within normal range (photo taken 25 August 2010)

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A local Tahmoor man appeared at Picton Local Court on Thursday, 26 May 2011. He pleaded guilty to two charges, namely failing to provide proper and sufficient food and failing to provide adequate shelter to five piglets.

An RSPCA Inspector responded to a complaint about the welfare of pigs at a property in Kentlyn on 4 August 2010. The following day she returned to the property with a Ranger from the local Livestock Health and Pest Authority. The pigs were housed in appalling conditions and had no available shelter. Five piglets were seized and presented for veterinary examination. This examination found the piglets were in emaciated to very poor body condition due to a lack of adequate nutrition.

The piglets were surrendered to the care of the RSPCA on 9 August 2010. All recovered and were subsequently rehomed.

The man was convicted and fined $1,000 for each charge. He was ordered to pay $79 Court costs and $1,293.25 veterinary expenses (total fines $2,000; total costs $1,372.25).

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Play the RSPCA Rescue Shelter and you can contribute directly to the work that the RSPCA does. Invite your friends to play and spread the word, raise awareness about animal care and have fun while you directly contribute to the ongoing success of the RSPCA.

Build and run your own animal shelter and rescue and care for a huge variety of animals. Grow your shelter, return animals to perfect health and adopt them out to caring families.

Start out small and build your shelter over time. Build enclosures, hire staff, keep your animals happy, feed them and let them play. Earn cash as you play to support your shelter or buy more and make a direct contribution to the RSPCA.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Benji is a active and friendly little fellow who is looking for a new family and home.

He needs an owner who has lots of time to spend with him and be willing to include him in their day to day activities whenever possible.

He should be fine around children, but he does enjoy his food alot and prefers to be left alone while eating it. Please also keep in mind that children should always be supervised around dogs. If you have kids at home please bring them in so everyone can meet him and see if he's suitable for the whole family.

Benji can be a bit unsure when meeting new dogs, so if you have another dog at home please also bring them into the shelter to meet to ensure they will get along well as doggie housemates.

He will require at least one walk per day or another form of quality exercise to help keep him happy, healthy and fit. His coat is short and requires minimal grooming but a bath every month or so will help keep him looking his best.

Please ensure your fencing is secure and at least 5ft with no gaps or holes for him to squeeze out and escape.

Benji is desexed, vaccinated, wormed and health tested. He is available right now at the Sydney Shelter. You can contact him by...

A local Rouse Hill woman appeared at Blacktown Lcoal Court on Thursday 5 May 2011.

She pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment to her two female Labrador dogs. An RSPCA Inspector responded to a complaint about the dogs' condition on 24 December 2010. The dogs were seized and presented for veterinary treatment. Both dogs had severe flea infestations. One dog suffered flea allergy dermatitis. Her incisor teeth were worn and gums ulcerated from constantly chewing at her skin. The other dog needed urgent treatment for an ear infection, and was anaemic as a result of the flea burden and a hookworm infestation.

The woman surrendered both dogs to the RSPCA on 31 January 2011.

The woman was convicted and fined $250 for each charge. She was ordered to pay $79 Court costs and $3,365.84 veterinary/boarding costs (total fines $1,000 and costs $3,444.84).

Sunday 15 May is right around the corner and thousands of RSPCA supporters nationwide are counting down for this year’s RSPCA Million Paws Walk. With nine days to go, online registrations for this year’s Sydney location have already surpassed last year’s numbers by nearly 50% and the organisation is gearing up for their biggest and best Million Paws Walk event yet!

“RSPCA staff, volunteers, supporters, partners and fundraisers have been working tirelessly and we’re certain this year’s fundraising event will prove to be a tremendous success,” said RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman.

The RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk is Australia’s premier pet event, and this year’s attendees – animal owners or not – will have plenty to look forward to. With live music, competitions (complete with celebrity judges), a world record breaking attempt for the biggest dog gelato cake, seminars, Pet Expo and more, there’s something for everyone – and every dog!

It’s not too late to get involved. Register online at http://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/ before Saturday 14 May and save 25% on registration fees, or register in person on the day. Walk individually, with your dog or in a group. Tell your friends, family or work mates and form a team.

If you can’t make it on the day, you can still get involved by fundraising online. Online fundraisers even have the chance to win a 2011 Hyundai i30w SX manual wagon valued at $24,000*. For every $100 raised online, you’ll receive an entry into the draw – the more you raise, the more chances to win!

Tiga originally comes from Bali but moved to Australia with his owners. Unfortunately April 2010 Tiga was surrendered to the RSPCA as his owners had to move and were unable to keep Tiga in their new home. This made Tiga quite upset and he soon became too stressed staying in the shelter environment. He came down with cat flu and was very depressed. After seeing poor Tiga like this I decided to take him home to foster until we could find him a new home. Tiga was lucky to find this but unfortunately it did not work and he came back to the shelter again. Tiga is now back at home in foster until he finds his loving new human and home.

Tiga is an affectionate and loyal boy who adores attention from his human. He is such a sweetheart and knows only how to make you smile. He loves to sleep on the bed and re-arrange the blankets to make sure he is very comfortable. Tiga also loves to have a conversation and talks quite a bit but also enjoys relaxing and chilling with his family.

Tiga does have some requirements so we can make sure he finds his forever home this time. He MUST be an indoor cat only. His owners should work from home or be retired and spend quite a bit of time at home. Tiga thrives from attention and human company. Must be the only cat. He has been attacked by other cats and been injured by them in the past. Lastly you must be prepared to open your heart and home to Tiga. He has nothing but love to give and deserves the best a cat can have. Please help Tigas dreams come true.

**If you would like to meet Tiga please call the RSPCA on 9770 7555 and ask to speak to Team Leader Nicole.D. We can then organise a day that is good for you to come in to the shelter and I will bring Tiga in to meet you.**

The program’s aim is to improve the health and safety of indigenous children and families by implementing an integrated companion animal health scheme in rural indigenous communities. The program offers much-needed veterinary services and education to regional and remote indigenous communities that may not otherwise be able to attain them. With the nearest veterinary services located 200 kilometres away in Broken Hill, Wilcannia is a prime example of one such community.

A temporary field hospital will be set up, and members of the community are encouraged to bring their pets along for treatment and advice. RSPCA NSW staff and volunteers will offer vaccinations, health checks, microchipping, surgical or chemical desexing, treatment for fleas, worms, ticks, mange and other parasites, as well as practical pet care advice and education.

RSPCA NSW Community Veterinary Nurse – Education Tanya Dominguez and RSPCA NSW Training Coordinator Narelle Maxwell will visit local schools and community centres to speak with students and adults about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, humane treatment of animals and safety concepts around animals such as bite prevention.

“We try to involve the community as much as possible,” said Dr Ann-Margret Withers, RSPCA Sydney Shelter Veterinarian and Desexing Program Coordinator. Dr Withers, who’s been involved with the program since its inception six years ago, believes effective community liaison is critical in making the program successful. “Without community involvement, our efforts to improve the long term community management of the health and welfare of their pets will not be achieved. In this instance, we engaged local Wilcannia community members to help conduct a pre-program survey and to offer community support throughout the three-day program.”

The program is offered to communities free of charge, and relies on RSPCA NSW funding with in kind support from local, state and commonwealth government agencies responsible for indigenous communities. “We’d love to get out on the road and visit more communities, but our limited budget only allows us to reach a few towns per year,” said Dr Withers.

This visit has garnered support from the Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Central Darling Shire, the Great Western Area Health Service and the Remote Service Delivery coordinator for the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

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About us

The RSPCA - The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - is Australia's pre-eminent animal welfare organisation. We provide a strong voice for animals experiencing cruelty and neglect. The RSPCA is not a government agency and receives only a very small amount of funding from the Government. We rely on the generosity of the community and our own fundraising initiatives to fund our vital work.